A Regulatory Framework for the Long-Term Underground Geological Storage of Carbon Dioxide in Victoria


Link to Discussion Paper - Greenhouse Gas Geological Sequestration Regulations – April 2009 (PDF 588KB)

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is one of many technologies the Victorian Government is investigating to tackle climate change. For Victoria, the investigation and development of CCS is particularly important because of the States’ significant brown coal resources.

CCS, which involves the storage of carbon dioxide emissions deep underground, offers the potential to transition coal, our largest source of electricity, to a cleaner future – an important step in achieving Victoria’s target to cut emissions by 60 per cent of 2000 levels by 2050.

You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view all documents below. A free copy can be downloaded from Adobe Acrobat (external link).

Further information on CCS technology, sometimes known as geosequestration, is provided in the fact sheet on Carbon Capture and Storage - Putting the Carbon Back (PDF 210KB).

The Position Paper - Strategic Policy Framework for Near Zero Emissions from Victoria’s Fossil Fuels (PDF 1.8MB), details the Victorian Government’s policy settings that will contribute to the commercial viability of carbon capture and storage.

Victoria’s Regulatory Regime

Investment in CCS depends on a number of factors, including an effective regulatory framework. This is critical to provide the certainty needed to encourage industry investment in this technology and to ensure that CCS occurs in an environmentally acceptable manner.

In October 2008, the Victorian Government passed Australia's first stand-alone legislation enabling the onshore injection and permanent storage of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases - The Greenhouse Gas Geological Sequestration Act 2008.

The Greenhouse Gas Geological Sequestration Act 2008 provides certainty for investors and other stakeholders by creating clear legal rights to enable exploration for geologically suitable underground storage formations and the injection and permanent storage of greenhouse gas substances onshore in Victoria. A copy of the Act can be downloaded from the Victorian Legislation and Parliamentary Documents website (external link).

As part of the process of developing the Act, a discussion paper entitled A Regulatory Framework for the Long-Term Underground Geological Storage of Carbon Dioxide (PDF 712KB) was released. Submissions received in response are available to be viewed online.

Importantly, the Act provides the community with the confidence that storage operations will be undertaken in a manner that minimise risks to safety and the environment. The Act will come into effect by 1 January 2010.

Development of Greenhouse Gas Geological Sequestration Regulations

Draft Greenhouse Gas Geological Sequestration Regulations are being developed to support the Greenhouse Gas Geological Sequestration Act 2008.

The following submissions were received on the Greenhouse Gas Geological Sequestration Regulations and the Regulatory Impact Statement.

Prognos Pty Ltd (PDF 12KB)
Schlumberger (PDF 98KB)
Wellington Shire City Council (Word 37KB)
Latrobe Valley Sustainability Group (PDF 184KB)

The Greenhouse Gas Geological Sequestration Regulations will come into effect by or on 1 January 2010.

Accelerating the development of low-emission technologies

CCS is one of a number of technologies with which greenhouse gas emissions from the supply and use of energy can be contained.

Through its Energy Technology Innovation Strategy (ETIS), the Victorian Government is working with researchers and industry to progress new, low-emissions energy technologies.

Media Releases

Historic Carbon Capture and Storage Bill Passes through Parliament (external link)

Release of Discussion Paper - Greenhouse Gas Geological Sequestration Regulations April 2009 (external link)